How To Build a Car in Tears of the Kingdom

Learn how to build a car in Tears of the Kingdom!

The sequel to Breath of the Wild is finally here and differs greatly from its predecessor. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has a lot of new mechanics. One of those is the ability to manipulate and attach objects. This feature may sound very simple, but it opens up a world of possibilities for players.

The ability to manipulate and attach objects enables Link to build different machines and contraptions. With this power, Link can build anything, from a simple raft to a flying robot that will attack enemies. The only limit to what Link can build is the player’s creativity and imagination. Out of all the possible contraptions that Link can create, we will talk about how to build a car in Tears of the Kingdom in this guide!

The Ultrahand Ability

To have the power to build, Link must first learn the Ultrahand ability. This ability will enable Link to pick up and move objects at will, rotate them, and attach them to different objects. This ability is comparable to the Magnesis Rune ability in Breath of the Wild. However, the Ultrahand ability is not limited to metallic objects and has additional capabilities.

To learn the Ultrahand ability, Link must enter the Ukouh Shrine, or “The Ability to Create.” This Shrine is on top of a cliff in the northern part of the Great Sky Island, just southwest of the Temple of Time. To be more specific, Link can find this Shrine by following these coordinates: 0274, -0913, 1460. The Ukouh Shrine is the very first Shrine that Link encounters in the game.

Zonai Devices

The most important materials for a car build in Tears of the Kingdom are Zonai Devices. These are pre-made devices with different effects and uses. These devices range from simple fans and carts to powerful rockets and cannons. Like every other device, these Zonai Devices also need the power to work. They take this power from Link’s Batteries, the Energy Cell. The more Zonai Devices are used, the more power is consumed in Link’s Energy Cell. 

Link can find Zonai Devices all over Hyrule. However, Link cannot put them in his inventory. To do that, Link must obtain Zonai Devices as capsules. Be mindful, however, because Link cannot put them back in his inventory once he drops them on the ground. To acquire capsules of Zonai Devices, Link must exchange a few Zonai Charges for them in Zonai Device Dispensers around Hyrule. 

It is important to note that the Zonai Device Dispensers drop capsules are random. This means that even though a Zonai Device Dispenser can drop a certain Zonai Device, there’s no guarantee it’ll drop that certain Zonai Device.

Because of that, it’s recommended to exchange five Zonai Charges instead of only one. Dropping only one Zonai Charge will yield only one capsule. However, exchanging five Zonai Charges or even Large Zonai Charges will greatly increase the number of capsules dropped. This means more chances of getting a specific Zonai Device.

An alternative to obtaining capsules of Zonai Devices is buying them from Steward Constructs. Instead of Rupees, however, these Steward Constructs will require Crystallized Charges. This isn’t a recommended method because Crystallized Charges are also required to increase the capacity of Link’s Energy Cell. If the player has maxed out Link’s batteries or the player just simply wants to, then the option is always there.

How to Build a Car in Tears of the Kingdom: Requirements

Link can use a lot of very different materials to build a machine. The same is true in building a car in Tears of the Kingdom. This guide will cover the most basic way to build a car in the game. After that, the player can add or remove parts as they please. As we previously established, the only limitation to what players can build is the player’s creativity and imagination.

To build a basic car in Tears of the Kingdom, these are the materials that Link needs: a base platform, a steering stick, some wheels, and, of course, batteries.

1. Base Platform

The first required material is the base part of the car where Link will stand. Link can utilize a lot of various materials for this. Link can use wooden platforms, concrete slabs, or a Zonai Sled for the base platform. Using something as a base platform is possible if Link can stand on it, and the other materials may be attached.

The wooden platforms are the easiest to find out of all the resources Link may use as a base platform. Link can find wooden platforms dispersed throughout Hyrule as part of the Hyrule Restoration Materials. Alternatively, Link can attach two or more logs to make a base platform using the Ultrahand ability.

2. Steering Stick

The ability to steer it makes a car different from a plank of wood with wheels. To steer your contraption, Link must have a Zonai Steering Stick. Link can obtain capsules of Zonai Steering Stick in the following Zonai Device Dispensers:

Alternatively, Link may acquire capsules of the Zonai Steering Stick after defeating a Flux Construct I, Flux Construct II, or Flux Construct III.

To use the Zonai Steering Stick, Link must attach it to a contraption that can move using the Ultrahand ability. This Zonai Device can be attached to contraptions, like the ones with Zonai Wheels or Zonai Fans. Then, once they are activated, Link can embark on the steering stick and manipulate the contraption’s movement.

3. Wheels

Another crucial material to build a car is, of course, the wheels. Link has a few options: wooden wheels, the Zonai Small Wheels, and the Zonai Big Wheels.

Wooden Wheels

The wooden wheels are the easiest to find out of all the wheels mentioned. However, being the easiest to find does not mean it is the most effective. The wooden wheels are exactly that. This is because this wheel does not generate power. Wooden wheels only allow the contraption to roll if an external force is exerted on it. So, if the player decides to use wooden wheels for the build, the player must add an “external force” to the car. 

For this, the player can add Zonai Fans to the build. The more Zonai Fans the player adds to the build, the faster the car will be. Also, the player can use Zonai Rockets as an intense alternative.

As mentioned, wooden wheels are the easiest to find among all the wheels. If the player wants to use them, Link can find them as part of various Hyrule Restoration Materials around the surface of Hyrule.

It is important to mention that wooden wheels are only great when used on flat surfaces. Otherwise, these wheels will struggle.

Zonai Small Wheel

Unlike the wooden wheels, the Zonai Small Wheel will consume power from Link’s Energy Cell to quickly spin forwards. The Zonai Small Wheel has an arrow marking on top that indicates the direction of the wheel’s rotation when activated. To acquire capsules of the Zonai Small Wheel, Link can head to the following Zonai Device Dispensers:

After eliminating Flux Construct I, Flux Construct II, or Flux Construct III, Link can also obtain capsules of the Zonai Small Wheel.

Like wooden wheels, the Zonai Small Wheel works great on flat surfaces. The Zonai Small Wheel does not work well on bumpy roads.

Zonai Big Wheel

The Zonai Big Wheel is similar to the Zonai Small Wheel but, well, bigger. Because of its size, the Zonai Big Wheel consumes more battery than the Zonai Small Wheel. The Zonai Big Wheel has an arrow marking on its sides and on the wheel itself, indicating the direction of its rotation when activated. To get capsules of the Zonai Big Wheel, Link can go to the following Zonai Device Dispensers and exchange some Zonai Charges:

Link can also get capsules of the Zonai Big Wheel after killing a Flux Construct I, Flux Construct II, or Flux Construct III.

Unlike the wooden and Zonai Small Wheel, the Zonai Big Wheel can take on flat, bumpy surfaces. The Zonai Big Wheel can even take on shallow water and lava. However, because of its size, the Zonai Big Wheel’s speed is slower than the Zonai Small Wheel.

Mix ‘em up

Link is not required to use only one kind of wheel to build a car. It is possible to use different kinds of wheels for different kinds of situations. The player can use the following combinations of wheels:

• Wooden Wheels and Zonai Small Wheels – Link can attach a pair of wooden wheels and a pair of Zonai Wheels to the build if Link does not have that much battery. This combination will not deplete Link’s Energy Cells as fast as an all-Zonai Wheel car. However, as the power to move depends on the wheels, this build will not be as fast.
  
• Wooden Wheels and Zonai Big Wheels – Like the previous one, the player can use a pair of wooden wheels and a pair of Zonai Big Wheels to consume less battery. This build, however, consumes more of Link’s Energy Cell because of the Zonai Wheels’ size. Also, because of the Zonai Big Wheels, the speed of this build is slower than the pair of Zonai Small Wheels. Despite that, this build is slightly better on bumpy terrain but not on shallow waters, especially lava.
  
• Zonai Small Wheels and Zonai Big Wheels – A pair of Zonai Small Wheels and a pair of Zonai Big Wheels consume more battery than the previous combinations. This build consumes more battery than an all-Zonai Small Wheel build but less than an all-Zonai Big Wheel build. The speed of this build is also significantly faster than the previous combinations. This build, however, is not as fast as an all-Zonai Small Wheel build. Despite this, this build performs marginally better on uneven terrain but not on shallow lakes or lava.

If the player decides to use any of these combinations, there is one thing to remember. The pairs of wheels mustn’t be on the same side but on opposite sides of the car. This is to keep the car balanced and let it work without problems.

4. Batteries

As mentioned above, the more Zonai Devices the player adds to the build, the more battery it consumes. Also, if the player also wants to use it for longer, Link must have more power in his Energy Cell. Technically, building a car and making it work with Link’s default amount of one battery icon is possible. However, this will only allow Link to use it briefly. Link must improve his Energy Cell to use it for a longer time.

Energy Well

Link must collect Energy Wells to enhance his Energy Cell and gain more battery. A single Energy Well represents one-third of the entire battery icon. In other words, three Energy Wells are equal to one battery icon. In the game, Link can obtain an additional 45 Energy Wells for a total of 48 Energy Wells, which is the equivalent of 16 battery icons.

To get a single Energy Well, Link must accumulate 100 Crystallized Charges. Then, go to a Crystal Refinery to trade them for an Energy Well.

Crystallized Charge

The game has three types of Crystallized Charges: normal Crystallized Charges, Large Crystallized Charges, and Huge Crystallized Charges.

Link can obtain Crystallized Charges from numerous chests and bosses, such as Flux Constructs and Froxes. However, the most common approach to acquire Crystallized Charges is to buy them from Forge Constructs. Instead of Rupees, Link has to trade Zonaite for Crystallized Charges.

Normal Crystallized Charge

This type is the most basic type of Crystallized Charge. Link must purchase one for 3 Zonaites from Forge Constructs to get one. So, to accumulate 100 Crystallized Charges for one Energy Well, Link must collect 300 Zonaites.

Large Crystallized Charge

One Large Crystallized Charge is equivalent to twenty Crystallized Charges. So, rather than 100 Crystallized Charges, Link can use 5 Large Crystallized Charges to make one Energy Well. Link must trade three Large Zonaites with Forge Constructs to obtain a single Large Crystallized Charge. So, Link must collect 15 Large Zonaites to obtain 5 Large Crystallized Charges to get one Energy Well.

Alternatively, Link can also obtain Large Crystallized Charges after eliminating a Stalnox, Black Hinox, and Frox.

Huge Crystallized Charge

The Huge Crystallized Charge is equivalent to 100 Crystallized Charges. This means that only one Huge Crystallized Charge piece is required to create one Energy Well. 

Link, unfortunately, cannot purchase Huge Crystallized Charges from Forge Constructs.

Conversely, Link can get Huge Crystallized Charges after eliminating Master Kohga in the Great Abandoned Central Mine, the Abandoned Gerudo Mine, the Abandoned Lanayru Mine, and the Abandoned Hebra Mine.

In addition, Link can obtain a Huge Crystallized Charge for eliminating one of the four regional bosses in a rematch in the Depths for the first time. Colgera, Marbled Gohma, Queen Gibdo, and Mucktorok are the bosses in question.

Zonaite

Zonaite is a mineral used to make Zonai Charges and Crystallized Charges. This material is also used to generate alternative parts using the Autobuild ability. This is also used as the currency to obtain Crystallized Charges and Zonai Charges from Forge Constructs.

Link can obtain Zonaites and their large versions from shattering Zonaite Ore Deposits. These Zonaite Ore Deposits are obtained practically anywhere in Hyrule’s Depths. However, many of those Zonaite Ore Deposits are situated near enemy camps. So, Link may have to eliminate them before mining the Ore Deposits.

Besides the Zonaite Ore Deposits, Link can acquire Zonaites after eliminating Little Froxes and some Gloom-wreathed opponents. Link may acquire Large Zonaites after eliminating Froxes, Obsidian Froxes, and Blue-White Froxes.

In a nutshell, Link must collect 300 Zonaites to obtain 100 Crystallized Charges for a single Energy Well. Or, Link must collect 15 Large Zonaites to obtain 5 Large Crystallized Charges for a single Energy Well.

Crystal Refinery

Link can now turn Crystallized Charges into Energy Wells after collecting the required Crystallized Charges. To do that, Link can visit the Crystal Refinery. Link can find a Crystal Refinery directly in front of the Nachoya Shrine. This Shrine is located near the Room of Awakening in the Great Sky Island’s southernmost area. Link can locate the Crystal Refinery in the following coordinates: 0363, -1652, 2298.

Temporary Battery

Link, like his hearts and stamina, can obtain temporary batteries. Link must consume Zonai Charges to obtain some. The Zonai Charge grants Link a temporary Energy Well. This means that after Link has depleted the temporary Energy Well, it will not recharge.

It is important to note that Zonai Charges only provide Link with temporary power if consumed with a full battery. Otherwise, the Zonai Charge will replenish power equal to one Energy Well.

The Large Zonai Charge is another type of Zonai Charge. This item refills three Energy Wells or gives three temporary Energy Wells. Three Energy Wells are equivalent to one battery icon.

Link can buy Zonai Charges and Large Zonai Charges from Forge Constructs. Link can obtain one Zonai Charge for two Zonaites and one Large Zonai Charge for one Large Zonaite.

Aside from purchasing them, Link can also get Zonai Charges as drops for defeating Soldier Constructs. Particularly, Zonai Charges are dropped by Soldier Construct I, Soldier Construct II, Soldier Construct III, Soldier Construct IV, Captain Construct I, Captain Construct II, Captain Construct III, Captain Construct IV, Training Construct, Flux Construct I, Flux Construct II, and Flux Construct III.

As for Large Zonai Charges, Link can also get them as drops for eliminating a Soldier Construct IV, a Captain Construct III, a Captain Construct IV, a Flux Construct II, and a Flux Construct III.

How to Build a Car in Tears of the Kingdom: Step-by-Step

Once the player has collected the requirements, Link can build a car! Drop all the necessary materials for the build on the ground; then these are what Link must do:

1. First, hold the L button and use the right stick to select the Ultrahand ability. Aim on one of the wheels and press the A button to grab it. Hold the R button and use the directional button to rotate the wheel and set it upright. Bring this wheel to one of the corners of the base platform and attach it. Make sure that the knob part of the wheel is the part that is attached to the platform. 
   
2. After that, do the same for all the other wheels. Also, ensure that all the arrows on the wheels are pointed in the same direction.
   
3. Next, press the L button to ready the Ultrahand ability. Aim on the Zonai Steering Stick and press the A button to grab it. Hold the R button, rotate the directional button, and set the Zonai Steering Stick upright. Then, bring it on top of the base platform and press the A button to attach it to the desired part.
   
4. Finally, the most basic build for a car is done! The player can now add more parts or materials to the build.

To use the car, simply embark on the base platform, approach the Zonai Steering Stick, and press the A button to control it. Link can now drive around for as long as Link’s battery allows!

Favorite

If the player wants to, the player can set it as a favorite in the Autobuild ability. Doing so will enable the player to build a car using the same materials instantly. If some are unavailable, the link must spend a Zonaite to produce the missing material. To set the car build as a favorite, the player must do the following:

1. First, hold the L button and use the right stick to select the Autobuild ability.
   
2. Next, navigate to the final car build in the history section.
   
3. Then,  press the Y button to set it as a favorite. The build will then be transferred to the favorites section.

Conclusion

We have looked into the wonderful possibilities of building your car in Hyrule. With this, you’ll discover hidden secrets, reach faraway places, and experience a new adventure. Remember, the experience doesn’t end here. Keep trying new things, fine-tuning, and personalizing your car to suit your playstyle and tastes. This is the tip of the iceberg of possible machines or contraptions Link can build in the game.

Thanks to this new mechanic in the game, Link can now build cars and different kinds of vehicles. Have fun exploring the beautiful world of Hyrule using your car in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom!